A few weeks ago, I emailed Mrs. Miranda and asked if she had any screenwriting format sheets she would mind sending me. She sent me a power point slide of the tech aspects of screenwriting, which I am so grateful for. Today I decided to add in tech ques, because I do hope to put this screenplay into production sometime in the near future. I figured I might as well start early.
I can't figure out how exactly to attach a document to this blog post, so I guess I will have to settle for copying and pasting for now.
INT. THE GOLD FAMILY HOME- DANI’S
BEDROOM-NIGHT
The scene is blurry, representing
a dream, or more like a nightmare. Dani is sitting on the floor crying. A blade
is in her hand, and she is holding it to her wrist. Austin takes the blade and
holds it to his wrist.
INT-THE GOLD FAMILY HOME- DANI’S
BEDROOM-MORNING
Austin is mumbling in his sleep.
He repeats the name “Dani” over and over again, until he wakes up. His eyes
open abruptly. He looks around, confused. His hands touch the sheets he is
lying on.
AUSTIN
Did
I wet the bed.
He lifts his hands up, revealing
them covered in blood.
AUSTIN
Huh.
(With a humorous tone) I Guess my period came early this month.
He is still confused about where
he is and what is going on. He looks around at the walls, covered in posters of
famous boy bands and actors.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-OUTSIDE
OF DANI’S BEDROOM-NIGHT
Austin is knocking loudly from
the outside of Dani’s bedroom door
SMASH CUT
Austin, Mr. Gold, and Mrs. Gold
stand in Dani’s bedroom doorway, frozen with disbelief.
SMASH CUT
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-DANI’S
BEDROOM-NIGHT
Police officers are standing in
Dani’s room, talking to her parents and Austin
SMASH CUT
INT-HOSPITAL-NIGHT
Austin, Mr. Gold, and Mrs. Gold
are talking to a doctor. As he is talking, Mrs. Gold begins to sob. Mr. Gold
has her in his arms, trying not to cry, Austin is emotionless
END OF FLASHBACK
INT-THE GOLD FAMILY HOME- DANI’S
BEDROOM
Austin gets out of bed, and walks
over to the dresser that is across from the bed. He grabs a baby wipe out of a container,
and begins to wipe his hands. Next to the baby wipes is a picture frame with a picture of Dani and
Austin in it. Austin has his arm around Dani, and they are standing in front of
a stage.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
INT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
OF PERFORMING ARTS-THEATER-NIGHT
Austin and Dani are in the same
position they were in the picture, a flash is seen, as if the picture was just
taken. Austin lets go of Dani’s arm.
DANI
We
did it. We actually did it.
AUSTIN
Our
first showcase and we managed not to kill each other or destroy the entire
school
A loud noise is heard coming from
behind the curtain. A few people scream the name “Ren!”
DANI
Spoke
too soon.
END OF FLASHBACK
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-DANI’S
BEDROOM-MORNING
Austin picks up the picture frame
and smiles.
MRS.
GOLD
Austin?
Austin is startled by Mrs. Gold,
and drops the picture frame. The glass on the picture frame shatters. Mrs. Gold
is standing in the doorway. She appears to be very tired.
AUSTIN
I..
I’m sorry.. I didn’t know you were..
MRS.
GOLD
Don’t
worry about it.
Mrs. Gold slowly walks to the
bed, and sits down. Austin sits next to her.
AUSTIN
I didn’t go home last
night?
MRS. GOLD
You don’t remember?
(Pause) We didn’t get back from the hospital until about 4 in the morning and
you insisted on spending the night.
AUSTIN
Really?
MRS. GOLD
Yeah. As soon as we
got back, you just crawled into Dani’s bed and past out. We didn’t even get to
change the sheets, but we didn’t want to wake you. (Pause) It was a long night.
AUSTIN
So last night
actually happened? She’s really…
MRS. GOLD
She’s gone.
Mrs. Gold completely loses it. She begins to cry. Austin
puts his hand on her shoulder. He shows no emotion.
CUT
INT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS-
HALLWAY-MORNING
Two days have gone by. Austin stands at the end of the
hallway. It is crowded, but Austin seems separated from the rest of them.
INT-MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS- THEATER
CLASSROOM-MORNING
Austin walks into the theater classroom. He appears to be
the last one to arrive. Everyone looks up at him, including the teacher, Ms.
Alden.
MS. ALDEN
Hey kiddo. How are
you feeling?
Austin does not respond. He walks to the 2 empty seats at
one of the tables, and sits in one of them. He stares at the empty chair next
to him: Dani’s seat. Another student, Holly, hugs him, but he doesn’t react to
it. He is still emotionless.
The classroom bell rings. Everyone is walking out of class.
Austin is taking his time.
MS. ALDEN
Austin. Can you stay
after class for a minute?
Austin shakes his head “yes”.
MRS. ALDEN
Pull up a chair.
She moves her chair in front of the chalkboard; Austin moves
his chair across from her.
MRS. ALDEN
I can only imagine
how you must be feeling right now.
AUSTIN
Feeling? I forgot
what that word means.
MS. ALDEN
It’s perfectly normal for that to happen way when coping with
a loss.
AUSTIN
I haven’t slept
since that night.
MS. ALDEN
You
should have taken the week off. You need some time to breathe.
AUSTIN
I
couldn’t. Finals are this week.
MS. ALDEN
Yeah. About that. I had a long talk with the rest of your
teachers and we all thought it would be best to void your finals.
AUSTIN
You really didn’t
need to do that.
MS. ALDEN
You’re a straight A
student. You have been since freshman year; it won’t be a big deal.
AUSTIN
I could take them,
really.
MS. ALDEN
You can’t. You aren’t
stable Austin. Look at you! You look like your about to pass out.
AUSTIN
Look I have to get to
history.
Austin gets up, pushes the chair back to its place, grabs
his things, and begins to walk out
AUSTIN
Thank you for the concern,
I really do appreciate it, but I have to go.
Austin makes his way to the door
MS.
ALDEN
Promise
me you will come back if you need something?
CUT.
Austin is at his locker. The same picture that was in Dani’s
room is stuck to the inside of his locker, along with a note Dani wrote him,
and a “Ghost the Musical” poster, which they saw together. Someone comes from
behind him and hugs his waist. It is his friend, Adriana
ADRIANA
Austin!
He turns around, and smiles
slightly at Adriana and his other friend Ellie, who is standing next to her
ELLIE
How
are you feeling?
Austin shrugs his shoulders. He
goes back to putting stuff into his locker.
ADRIANA
You
should eat lunch with us today!
AUSTIN
Oh.
I don’t know.
ADRIANA
Please?
ELLIE
You
should.
CUT
INT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
OF PERFORMING ARTS-CAFETERIA-AFTERNOON
Austin is sitting at a crowded
lunch table with Anya, Ellie, and a bunch of other people. They are laughing
and joking around, not paying much attention to Austin. He looks across the
cafeteria, and see’s Bella, a friend of his, who was very close with Dani. He
gets up, and walks over to her lunch table. It is the same sort of scene as the
table he was at. Bella smiles and laughs here and there, but she is not her
normal bubbly self.
AUSTIN
Hey, do you want to go outside?
BELLA
Austin. Um, sure. Why not?
EXT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
OF PERFORMING ARTS- OUTSIDE OF THE CAFETERIA
AUSTIN
How are you handling all of this so well?
BELLA
I don’t even know. Her not being here is really
weird.(Pause) I can’t even imagine what’s going through your head right now.
AUSTIN
I don’t even know what’s going on up there.
BELLA
Is it too soon?
AUSTIN
Is what too soon?
BELLA
Is it too soon to ask you what really happened the other
night? I know you were there.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-DANI’S
BEDROOM-NIGHT
Dani throws a pillow at Austin
DANI
Get
out! Now!
SMASH CUT
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-
OUTSIDE OF DANI’S ROOM
Austin is sitting on the floor
outside Dani’s room
SMASH CUT
Austin is trying trying to turn
Dani’s door knob, but it won’t open
END OF FLASHBACK
EXT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
OF PERFORMING ARTS- OUTSIDE OF CAFETERIA
AUSTIN
Yeah.
It’s too soon.
CUT
INT-MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
FOR PERFORMING ARTS- AUSTIN’S MATH CLASS
The whole class is listening to
the teacher speak and write notes on the board. A knock is heard at the door.
The teacher walks over and opens the door to reveal Mr. Barren, the principal.
They talk for a few minutes
TEACHER
Austin,
Mr. Barren would like to have a word with you in his office.
Austin walks out of the classroom
INT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
FOR PERFORMING ARTS- MR. BAREN’S OFFICE
Austin is sitting in a chair
across from Mr. Barren’s desk.
AUSTIN
Am
I in trouble or something?
MR.
BARREN
No,
not at all. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I’m so sorry for your
loss.
AUSTIN
Is
that the only reason why I’m here?
MR.
BARREN
Um,
no. Actually we were wondering if you could clean out Danielle’s locker.
AUSTIN
What?
MR.
BARREN
If
it’s too soon we could get someone else to do it.
AUSTIN
No,
I’ll do it. Why now though?
MR.
BARREN
It’s
almost the end of the year, it’s about that time when you guys need to clean
your lockers. If someone doesn’t do it soon everything in there is going to be
thrown away and her parents want to make sure there isn’t anything of value in
there. They said you would be the best person to do it.
AUSTIN
Oh.
(Pause) When do you want me to do it?
MR.
BAREN
Now
if that’s ok. Here’s the combination.
Mr. Baren slides a piece of paper
across the table. Austin does not take it. He gets up and begins to walk out.
AUSTIN
I
know it already.
CUT
INT- MIDDLESEX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
OF PERFORMING ARTS-HALLWAY-AFTERNOON
Austin walks down an empty
hallway with a box under his arm. He stops at a locker. Dani’s. He puts in a
combination, and the locker opens. It is very organized. There are a few small
posters/pictures on her locker door. Some are of singers and bands she likes,
she has the same “Ghost the musical” poster as Austin, and has some are
pictures of her, two or three have Austin in them. He puts the box on the
floor, takes down the pictures and posters, puts them in the box, sand begins
going through the books in her locker. He pulls out a book here and there, and
puts it in the box. He pulls out a notebook that he does not recognize, and
holds it for a moment. He opens it, and shuffles through it. The pages reveal that
it is a diary. He puts the journal onto the floor next to the box. He slams the
locker shut, puts the box under his arm, grabs the notebook, and begins walking
down the hallway.
CUT
EXT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-FRONT
DOOR-AFTERNOON
Austin walks up to the front
door. He has his backpack on his back and still has the box in his hands. He
puts it under one arm, and rings the doorbell. Mrs. Gold answers the door.
MRS.
GOLD
Hi
Austin.
AUSTIN
Hey.
Um, I have the box of Dani’s things from her locker.
MRS.
GOLD
Oh
good. Thank you for doing that. (Pause) We went to the funeral home today. Her
wake is going to be on Friday.
AUSTIN
Oh.
MRS.
GOLD
Yeah.
(Pause) Mr. Gold and I thought that Dani would have liked you to make a speech,
if that’s ok with you?
AUSTIN
I would be honored. I was going to ask you if
I could either way.
MRS.
GOLD
That’s
great. Thank you. (Pause) I’ve been trying to go through her room all day to
find things that we could bring to represent her at the wake, but I haven’t
made it past her bedroom door. (Pause) Would you like to come in and help me?
Austin smiles slightly
CUT
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME- DANI’S
ROOM- AFTERNOON
Austin and Mrs. Gold look through
Dani’s room to find items. They both find many things, and set them down on the
bed. They look through them.
AUSTIN
What
about these?
Austin picks up a bundle of
Broadway show tickets. They both laugh a little
MRS.
GOLD
Of
course. Her collection of Broadway tickets
Mrs. Gold takes the bundle of tickets and shuffles through
them as well. She pulls two out.
MRS. GOLD
Memphis. Her favorite.
Mrs. Gold reveals two Broadway show tickets from the show Memphis.
AUSTIN
At first the only
reason she wanted to see it was because Adam Pascal was playing the lead. I saw
it on Netflix and wouldn’t see it with her. She ended up becoming obsessed with
it. I can’t believe she made Mr. Gold see it with her twice.
They both laugh. Austin takes the stack of tickets, and
pulls out one.
AUSTIN
Ghost. This is our show.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
INT- THE BACKSEAT OF AUSTIN’S MOM AND DAD’S CAR-NIGHT
Austin and Dani get into the backseat of Austin’s mom and
dad’s car. They have Ghost playbills in
hand. They are both smiling ear to ear.
DANI
Oh my god I can’t
believe how amazing that show was! The vocals! The effects! Amazing. I want to
be Caissie Levy. I want her voice, and Oh my god, Richard Fleeshman! You would
never know he was British. His belting. Those teeth! Perfection. Pure
perfection.
AUSTIN
(mocking Dani) Thank
you Austin, thank you for introducing me to the amazingness that is Ghost: The Musical.
DANI
Thank you. And thank
your Mr. and Mrs. Kratner for taking me. I really appreciate it.
MRS. KRATNER
Don’t worry about it
Dani. It’s the least we could do for having you put up with Austin all the
time.
DANI
Yeah. It’s a full
time job.
Dani makes a face at Austin. Austin gives Dani one of his
headphones. Dani puts it in her ear and smiles. They both begin to singing to Suspend My Disbelief/I Had A Life from
the play.
END OF FLASHBACK
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME- DANI’S ROOM- AFTERNOON
MRS. GOLD
She didn’t sleep that
night when she got home. She stayed up all night listening to the music from
the play.
AUSTIN
Same here. We were
texting each other all night. We were on a Broadway high.
MRS. GOLD
Yeah. She was like
that after every show she saw. Except Sister
Act.
AUSTIN
And Priscilla!
Mrs. Gold and Austin laugh for a few beats.
MRS. GOLD
I miss her so much.
She begins to wipe tears from her eyes.
AUSTIN
So do I.
MRS. GOLD
I knew she had been
in a bad mood for a while, but I just
had no idea things were that bad. I can’t believe she didn’t come to me for
help. It’s like I failed her as a mother.
AUSTIN
Don’t say that. There
was nothing anyone could have done.
MRS. GOLD
I could have helped
her get through whatever she was going through. (Pause) What was she going
through anyway?
FLASHBACK BEGINS
INT- THE GOLD FAMILY HOME-FAMILY ROOM-AFTERNOON
Austin and Dani are sitting on the couch. The T.V. is on.
They are in a deep conversation with each other. Dani appears to be crying.
DANI
Why does everyone
hate me so much?
AUSTIN
Dani, no one hates
you.
DANI
Really? (Pause) Ren
talks bad about me to my face and behind my back on a regular basis, Bianca is
determined to make me feel like the biggest idiot on the planet, and Jimmy
wants nothing to do with me.
AUSTIN
Those are three
people!
DANI
Three people who are
making my life a living hell in their own special way at the moment.
AUSTIN
Look,
Ren and Bianca are easy to handle. Just ignore them. Don’t let them win. You’re
being the bigger person and aren’t fighting back so that’s a step in the right
direction already.
DANI
And for Jimmy?
AUSTIN
He was your first
high school relationship. I get that, but I’m sorry. He played you and you need
to get it through your head that he’s not coming back. He didn’t even have the
decency to tell you it was over. You deserve so much more than that.
DANI
I just don’t know how
to handle all of this anymore.
END OF FLASHBACK
AUSTIN
It was a mixture of a
lot of things.
CUT.
INT- KRATNER FAMILY HOME- AUSTIN’S BEDROOM- NIGHT
Austin is in his pajamas getting ready to go to bed. He
turns out the lights, lies down in bed, and tries to fall asleep. He tosses and
turns, but he is wide awake. He turns on the lamp beside his bed, and reaches
for his backpack that is sitting next to his bed. He pulls out the notebook
from Dani’s locker. He flips through it, skimming the pages. He suddenly
becomes upset and frustrated, causing him to throw the book across the room. He
takes a moment and pulls himself back together. He turns out the lights
CUT.
Austin is sitting in a restaurant at a table by himself. He
looks around
Reflection
I think that I deserve a 100 for this blog post. I know I didn't add much to this, but I added the technical aspects to the script, which will need to be done sooner or later. I learned a lot from the power point Mrs. Miranda sent me (Int, Ext, Smash Cut, Mechanics, Etc.)
A problem I am noticing with my writing is that I am focusing way too much on the little aspects of the screenplay, such as names. I'm pretty sure you noticed the school reference and the twist on the name Aladren. (Alden, I seriously could not think of anything).
A big part of me did want to relate some of this to what I know, but I think I am doing that way too much. One change I think I will make is the fact that it is a "Performing Arts" high school, and just make it a normal high school. I feel like that will kind of take away focus? I don't know, it's just a gut feeling i'm having.
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